India Begins Work On Hydroelectric Projects In Kashmir Amid Indus Treaty Suspension With Pakistan: Reports

India has commenced efforts to increase reservoir capacity at two hydroelectric facilities in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, according to a report by Reuters.

The move marks India's first substantive action outside the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty-an accord that has remained intact since 1960 despite multiple wars and ongoing hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Photo Credit: PTI

However, last month, New Delhi suspended the treaty following a deadly attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead. Two of the three attackers were reportedly identified as Pakistani nationals. The treaty guarantees water access to roughly 80% of Pakistani agriculture.

Pakistan, which denies involvement in the attack, has warned that any attempt to halt or divert water flow into its territory would be regarded as "an act of war" and has threatened to pursue international legal action.

On Thursday, India began a process known as "reservoir flushing" to remove sediment buildup, carried out by the state-run NHPC Ltd, India's largest hydropower company, in coordination with authorities in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, according to three sources.

While the current activity may not immediately disrupt water flow to Pakistan-which relies heavily on rivers that pass through India for both irrigation and hydroelectric power-it could pose a longer-term risk if more projects follow suit. The region hosts over half a dozen such projects.

Sources noted that India did not notify Pakistan before initiating work at the Salal and Baglihar plants, built in 1987 and 2008/09 respectively. This marks the first time such maintenance has been conducted, previously prohibited under treaty terms.

Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, all sources requested anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, reported Reuters.

India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir since the partition in 1947, alongside several smaller military skirmishes.

The sediment flushing operation took place over three days beginning 1 May, according to sources.

"This is the first time such an operation has been conducted. It will enhance power generation efficiency and protect turbine integrity," one source explained.

Local residents along the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir said they observed water being released from both dams from Thursday to Saturday.

Reservoir flushing involves nearly emptying the water body to expel sediment deposits that hinder energy production. One source noted that Salal's 690-megawatt plant has consistently underperformed due to sedimentation, with similar issues affecting output at the 900-megawatt Baglihar facility.

"Flushing isn't routine, as it causes significant water loss," said another source. "Downstream countries are typically informed in advance, particularly if there's a risk of flooding."

Both dam projects were constructed after extensive bilateral negotiations, with Pakistan long concerned about reduced water access.

Under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which allocated control of the Indus and its tributaries between the two countries, India had also been sharing hydrological data and issuing flood alerts to Pakistan.

India's water minister recently declared the country's intention to prevent "even a drop" of Indus river water from reaching Pakistan.

Though India cannot abruptly halt river flows due to treaty limitations-allowing only run-of-the-river hydropower schemes without major water storage-the suspension enables more unilateral action.

"The suspension gives India the liberty to carry on projects at its own discretion," said Kushvinder Vohra, a former chief of the Central Water Commission and a veteran of Indo-Pakistani water negotiations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has previously called for renegotiating the treaty. The two countries have also attempted to resolve disputes over reservoir design and water storage at the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects via the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.r